giese



May 26, 1931. P. GIESE DIMMING DEVICE FOR SEARCHLIGHTS Filed May 24, 129 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 26, 1931. @4555 1,806,850

DIMMING DEVICE FOR SEARCHLIGHTS Filed May 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig:5.

Q adorn Patented May 26, 1931 TENT OFFICE PAUL GIESE, OF LEIPZIG,GERMANY DIMIVII'NG DEVICE FUR SEARCHLIGHTS Application filed May 24,1629, Serial No. 365,893, and in Germany October 31, 1928.

This invention relates to a dimming device for search lights, especiallysuch of motor cars. The first of the characteristic features of thisimproved dimming d vice is that an optical dimming member combined witha lamp carrier designed either for only one lamp or for a pluralitythereof; the second characteristic feature consists in said lamp carrierbeing detachably attached to the reflector of the search light by meansof a hollow insertion; and the third feature resides therein that theactuating member for adjusting or rc-adjusting said optical dimmingmember, as well as the electric conductors, pass through said hollowinsertion.

This arrangement and combination of parts affords the possibility ofproviding the lamp car ier with two or more lamps emitting light ofdifferent colors and being attached to a rotary axle in such a mannerthat by turning this axle any one of the lamps can be moved into thefocus of the reflector. In this manner it is rendered possible to bringthat lamp 1 or these lamps into the focus of the reflector which emitdiffused light or colored light whereby also these rays can penetratethe dark to longer distances than heretofore. The range of action of thesearch light is thereby considerably extended or enlarged also fordimmed light.

Another part of this invention relates to an electro-magneticallyoperable switching device for moving the lamps successively into thefocus of the reflector and to lock them in this position.

The invention is illustrated diagrammatically and by way of example onthe accompanying drawings on which Figure 1 is a vertical sectionthrough a search-light designed according to this invention; Figure 2 isa plan of the turning device for the set of lamps; Figure 3 is aside-view of this device; Figure l is a plan of certain parts of I thisdevice; Figure 5 is a rear View of the control device for the turningdevice (F igs. 2 and 3) and Figure 6 shows also some details which arealso duly dealt with hereinafter.

, On the drawings, 1, (Fig. 1) denotes the search light casing, and 2the reflector therein. Through the rear, or innermost portion, of thereflector extends a ring 8 which is firmly connected therewith, and inthis ring is arranged a sleeve 4, the rearwardly projects, ing end ofwhich is threaded and bears on i. this end a correspondingly threadedring 5. From the sleeve 4 extend two bent tubes, or tubular arms 6 and7, the one (6) upwardly, the other (7) downwardly, and both fOrwardly,as shown. The turning device (Fig. 3) is attached to the free end of thetubular arm 6, and the set of lamps (Fig. 2) is located just over thefree end of the tubular arm 7. From this arm extends upwardly a verticalaxle 8, to which are attached, in the example shown, three electricincandescent lamps 9, 10 and 11, spaced from each other by angles of 190(Fig. 2). In the position of these lamps as shown in Figs.

1 and 2 the lamp 9 is in the focus of the reflector 2, and by turningthe axle 8 by (for instance in clockwise direction when viewed fromabove) first the lamp 10 and then the lamp 11, and then again the lamp9, and so on, will arrive in the focus of the reflector. The lamps emitrays of different kinds, that is to say, one lamp emits undimmed clearlight, the other diffused light, and the third colored (for instanceyellow) light, this latter being particularly suited for the penetrationof fog.

For moving the lamps successively into the focus of the reflector, andto lock each lamp in that position, the device shown in connection withthe search light on the lefthand side of the upper half of Fig. 1, anddetached from the lamp in Fig. 3, is provided. Affixed to the end of thetubular arm 6 are two superposed hrac ets 12 and 12' in which is locatedthe upper end of the axle 8. Just above the bracket 12 a disk 13 issecured to the axle 8, and the top face of this disk is divided intothree sections. each of which is designed similar to a ratchet tooth.The disk 13 has also three lateral bores uniformly distributed aroundits circumference. These bores co-operate with a horizontal locking pin16 subjected to the action of a helical spring 15 surrounding it andtending continually to move its front end into one of said bores so asthereby to lock the disk 13, whereby at the same time also the axle 8and the lamp 9, 10, 11 are locked in their adjusted position. Theposition of the bores of the locking disk relatively to the lamps issuch that whenever the locking pin has engaged the bore having arrivedjust in front of it, that lamp located just in front of the sleeve 4 islocated also in the focus of the reflector.

Another disk with ratchet teeth (17) is arranged immediately above thedisk 13 on the axle 8 and is freely turnable thereon. The ratchet teethof the disk 17 are on the bottom side thereof and engage those of thedisk 13. The disk 17 is continually pressed against the disk 13 by ahelical spring 18, and this same spring tends continually to turn thedisk 17 in counter-clockwise direction. There is, however on the disk 17an upwardly extending abutment pin 21 which is retained by the bracket12, that is to say, this bracket pre vents any further turning of saidpin after it has been operated, i. 0. turned in clockwise directiontogether with and by the disk 1 Normally, the position of the tw disksrelatively to one another is such that there is some dead play or lostmotion between their ratchet teeth, as appears from Fig. 1 in which theparts concerned are shown in their position of rest. In Fig. 3 a certainintermediate position or operative position is shown.

The disk 17 has a lateral nozae-lil e projection or cane 22 whichco-operates with an upper projection 23 of the locking pin 15. When thedisk 17 is turned (the means therefore will be presently described), thepresses the projection 23, that is to say. "the pin 15, rearwardly so asto disengage it from the respective bore of the disk 17, so that alsothe disk 13 is disengaged and can be turned. This takes place, however,only after the teeth of the disk 17 have covered the lost-motion waymentioned in the preceding paragraph. This lostmotion way is necessaryin order to first withdraw the locking pin from the disk 13 as only nowthis disk can be turn-ed. is turned by the ratchet-teeth of the disk 17.the teeth of both disks engaging then one another, and simultaneouslytherewith the spring 18 is put under tension and turns the disk 17 backinto its former position instantly after it is released. \Vhen, duringthis rotation, the upper ratchet teeth leave the lower ones these latterare retained for such a length of time as is necessary to establish thelost motion way by the nose bearing on the projection 23, the partsbeing then in the position shown in Fig.

The disk 17 has an upwardly directed hub 25 (Fig. 1) engaging a shorttubular member 24 extending downwardly from the bitl-(ln-t 12. Thehelical spring 18 encompasses said member 24 and is held in properoperative position thereby. The arrangement is such that the spring isin no way detrin'icntally alieeted by the vertical movements of the disk17.

v s I.) n so is The upper half of the disk 17 is designed as a ropepulley, into the groove of which is placed a thin rope Qt) by means ofwhich the disk 17 can be turned in clockwise direction whereby also theaxle 8 and the lamps are turned in that direction, as has already beendescribed. The cord is operated by an electromagnetic device (seerighthand side of the upper half of Fig. 1 and Fig. comprising an oblongframe 27 which is firmly connected with the ring 5 by the intermediaryof a sleeve and extends upwardly in oblique position between the casing1 and the reflector 52. To the uppermost transverse member of the frame27 is attached a solenoid coil 28 which co-operates With a solenoid core29. This core has a threaded bore in which a threaded pin 30 can belongitudinally adjusted by being turned. This pin is firmly connectedwith the free end of the rope .20 that extends over, and is guided by, agrooved roller 32 supported in the sides of the frame 27 (Fig. Thedownward stroke of the core 25) is limited by a transverse pin 31 (Fig.1). It is obvious that the turning device (Fig. will be operated by thecore when a current flows through the solenoid coil. When the current isbroken, the core 29 is moved automatically into its position of rest byits dead Weight, and the \ll -l 17 is turned also automatically into itsformer position by the spring 18, as already described.

At the lower end of the frame 27 is a transverse piece of an insulatingmaterial to which are secured the terminals. One thereof is connected bya wire 34 (Figs. 1 and G) with a contact plate 35 ailixed to the topportion of an annular member 36 secured to the lower end of the arm 7,as shown especially in Fig. 6. The contact plate contacts always withthat lamp which is just opposite the center of the reflector and,therefore, only this lamp is inserted into the circuit, the other lampsremaining dark.

Inserting the solenoid coil into the circuit (not shown) can be elfectedby means of a push-button provided near the drivers seat in convenientreach of the driver.

The lamps may be of any desired type, and also the means by which theyare affixed to the axle 8 may be chosen as desired.

A )articular advantage presented by the improved search-light is thisthat the different lamps are arranged in a reflector common to'them, andthat also turning them is ellected by a device common to them.

If the succession of the lamps is such that after the undimmed l ghtfirst the colored light and finally the diffused light appears. theadvantage is obtained that the forward range of the light cone becomesshorter only by and by, and the eyes of the driver can more easilyfollow the procedure.

Finally, it is possible to attach the device Ian! also to existingsearch lights, as the whole is held in proper position by meansprojecting forth from the cent-re of the search light, or of thereflector thereof respectively.

I claim 1. A dimming device for use in connection with search lights,com-pr ising in combination with the reflector of the search light, alam-p carrier arranged in the reflector and includ ing a hollow memberarranged in the central portion of the reflector; a plurality ofdifferent ray projecting lamps mounted on the carrier; means foractuating t he carrier to bring any of the lamps in the focus of thereflector, a contact for supplying current to the lamp disposed in thefocus of the reflector, and a conductor for supplying current to saidcontact, said actuating means and conductor extending through saidhollow member.

2. A dimming device for use in connection with search lights, comprisingin combination with the reflector of the search light, a lamp carrierincluding a hollow member and a vertical axle arranged in the reflector;a setof electric incandescent lamps supported by said axle; means forturning said axle together with said lamps in intervals by such anglesthat always one of the lamps is located in the focus of the reflector;means extending through said hollow members for turning the axle; andmeans also extending through the hollow member for supplying current tothat lamp which is located in said focus at the "time being.

3. Adimming device for use in connection with search lights, comprising,in combination with the reflector of the search light, a lamp carrierincluding a hollow member and a vertical axle arranged in the reflector;a set of electric incandescent lamps supported by said carrier; adriving gear combined with said axle and so designed as to permitturning it in intervals by equal angles; means for thus actuating saidgear, and means for looking it after every actuation; said meansactuating the gears extending through said hollow member; and means alsoextending through the hollow member for supply current to that lampwhich is located in said focus at the time being.

4. A dimming device for use in connection with search lights, comprisingin combination with the reflector 0f the search light, a lamp carrierarranged in the reflector, and a set of electric incandescent lampssupported by said carrier, this latter comprising a vertical axle andmeans including a hollow member arranged in the central portion of thereflector for holding it in proper position; a driving gear combinedwith said axle and comprising a, toothed disk aflixed to the axle,another toothed disk arranged loosely on the axle just above thefirst-mentioned disk and engaging the teeth thereof in one direction ofrotation, means for turning said other disk in intervals, 2. shiftablemember adapted to lock the first disk after every part turning, a lug atthe other disk adapted to release said locking member prior to everypart turning; and means for turning the second disk back into its formerposition after having been actuated: the said means for turning the saidsecond disk and the means for supplying current to the lamp located inthe focus of the reflector extending through said hollow member.

5. A dimming device for use in connection with search lights, comprisingin combination with the reflector of the search light, a lamp carrierarranged in the reflector, and a set of electric incandescent lampssupported by said carrier, this latter comprising a vertical axle andmeans including a hollow member arranged in the central portion of thereflector for holding it in proper position; a driving gear combinedwith said axle and comprising a toothed disk aflixed to the axle,another toothed disk arranged loosely on the axle just above thefirstanentioned disk and engaging the teeth thereof in one direction ofrotation, means for turning said other disk in intervals, a shiftablemember adapted to lock the first disk after every part turning,

and having a projection extending into the plane of the other disk; alug at this other disk so arranged as to be adapted to cooperate withsaid projection in the one direction, but to move past over it in theother direction owing to the obliquity of the teeth of the two disks;and means for'turn'ing the second disk back into its former positionafter having been actuated; the means for turning the said second diskand the means for supplying current to the lamp located in the focus ofthe reflector extending through said hollow member.

6. A dimmin device for use inconnection with search lights, comprising,in combination with the reflector of the search light, a lamp carrierarranged in the reflector and a set of electric incandescentlampssupported by said carrier, this latter comprising a vertical axle andmeans and including a hollow member arranged in the central portion ofJr-c the reflector for holdin it in proper pos i-' tion; a driving gearcombined with said axle and comprising a toothed disk affixed to theaxle, another toothed disk arranged loosely on the axle just above thefirst-mentioned disk and engaging the teeth thereof in one direction ofrotation, means for turning said other disk in intervals, a shiftablemember adapted to lock the first disk after every part turning, andhaving a projection extending into the plane of the other disk; a lug atthis other disk so arranged as to be adapted to co-operate with saidprojection in the one direction, but to move past it in the otherdirection owing to the obliquity of the :teeth of the two 3 S ili)disks, the upper disk being supported by said projection remote from thelower disk until said lug has left the said projection during itsbackward movement; and means for turning the second disk back into itsformer position after having been actuated; the means for turning thesaid second disk and the means for supplying current tothe lamp lo catedin the focus of the reflector extending through said hollow member.

7. A dimming device for use in connection with search lights,comprising, in combination with the reflector of the search light, alamp carrier arranged in the reflector and a set of electricincandescent lamps supported by said carrier, this latter comprising avertical axle and means and including a hollow member arranged in thecentral portion of the reflector for holding it in proper position; adriving gear combined with said axle and comprising a toothed diskaifixed to the axle, another toothed disk arranged loosely on the axlejust above the first-mentioned disk and engaging the teeth thereof inone direction of rotation, a helical spring arranged over the second, i.e. upper disk and tending to press it into the first, i. e. lower diskand to move it back into its position of rest; a shif able memberadapted to lock the first disk after every part turning, a lug at theother disk adapted to release said locking member prior to every partturning; means for turning the second disk back into its former positionafter having been actuated; the means for turning the said second diskand the.

means for supplying current to the lamp located in the focus of thereflector extending through said hollow member.

8. A dimming device for use in connection with search lights,comprising, in combina tion with the reflector of the search light, a

lamp carrier arranged in the reflector and a set of electricincandescent lamps supported by said carrier, this latter comprising avertical axle and means including a hollow member arranged in thecentralportion of the reflector for holding it in proper position; adriving gear combined with said axle and comprising a toothed diskaffixed to the axle, another toothed disk arranged loosely on the axlejust above the first-mentioned disk and engaging the teeth thereof inone direction of rotation, a helical spring arranged over the upper diskand tending to press it into the lower disk and to move it back into itsposition of rest; a hollow cylindrical member located within said springand keep-ing it in proper position; another cylindrical member extendingupwardly from the upper disk and engaging said first-mentionedcylindrical member; a shiftable member adapted to lock the first diskafter every part turning, a lug on the upper disk adapted to releasesaid locking member prior to each rotary movement thereof; and means forturning the second disk back into its former position after having beenactuated; the means for turning the said second disk and the means forsupp-lying current to the lamp located in the focus of the reflectorextending through said hollow member.

9. A dimming device for use in connection with search lights,comprising, in combination with the reflector of the search light, alamp carrier arranged in the reflector and a set of electricincandescent lamps supported by said carrier, this latter comprising avertical axle and means including a hollow member arranged in thecentral portion of the refiector for holding it in proper position; adriving gear combined with said axle and comprising a toothed diskaffixed to the axle, another toothed disk arranged loosely on the axlejust above the first-mentioned disk and engaging the teeth thereof inone direction of rotation; a cord pulley connected with the upper disk,a cord connected with said pulley; means for subjecting the cord topulls from the rear of the reflector, these means comprising anelectromagnetic device to which the rear end of the said cord isattached; a shiftable member adapted to lock the first disk after everypart turning, a lug on the other disk adapted to release said lockingmember prior to each turning movement thereof; and means for turning theupper disk back into its former position aft-er having been actuated;the means for turning the said upper disk and the means for supplyingcurrent to the lamp located in the focus of the reflector extendingthrough said hollow member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.-

PAUL GIESE.

